Kumar Bahukhandi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 11, 2026, departed for home after concluding a two-day visit to New Zealand. Credit: X/@MEAIndia
India and New Zealand elevate ties to “strategic partnership” during PM Modi’s visit to Auckland in the third and final leg of his three-nation tour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday July 11, 2026 departed for home after concluding a two-day visit to New Zealand, during which the two nations elevated their ties to a strategic partnership. New Zealand was the final leg of Mr. Modi’s three-nation visit, which also took him to Indonesia and Australia.
Earlier in the day, India and New Zealand set a five-year target to double their annual bilateral trade in goods and services to ₹35,000 crore by 2030 following talks between PM Modi and his Kiwi counterpart Christopher Luxon. The meeting yielded 18 concrete outcomes, including 10 agreements. Key among them were a roadmap to expand ties in the next four years, a framework for enhancing Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation, and a reciprocal logistics support pact between the Indian Navy and the New Zealand Defense Force.
At an Indian diaspora event in Auckland later, PM Modi highlighted the “vast ocean of opportunities” ahead for the two countries and said: “Waka is not merely a boat. It is a symbol of shared journey. India–New Zealand Waka is ready to embark on a new voyage together.”
Prime Minister Modi landed in Auckland last night in the third and final leg of his three-nation tour that largely focused on expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of China’s increasing assertiveness in the region. The visit came following the recent signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday July 11, 2026 departed for home after concluding a two-day visit to New Zealand, during which the two nations elevated their ties to a strategic partnership.
New Zealand was the final leg of Modi’s three-nation visit, which also took him to Indonesia and Australia.
narendra Modi was seen off by his Kiwi counterpart Christopher Luxon at the airport.
Earlier on Saturday July 11, 2026 PM Modi met New Zealand’s Leader of the Opposition Chris Hipkins for a discussion on key aspects including the bilateral strategic partnership over trade, technology and people-to-people ties.
Attending an Indian diaspora event in Auckland, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the ties between the two countries.
“India-New Zealand relationship is built on cherished memories, friendship, shared values and commitment,” he said.
